THE DARK SPOT

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1744, 24 July 1862, Page 2

THE DARK SPOT

The Chief Justice aptly described Taranaki as "the dark spot "on the otherwise hopeful horizon. That it is a dark spot is unquestionable. Its lesson should be to us all what Mr. Sewell said it was to him — " it made him resolve that he would use his inmost endeavours to prevent the other provinces, of this island, from presenting the same sickening scene of desolation and ruin."

When Sir George Grey arrived, ministers prepared a minute for his Excellency's information, showing the then position of that Province, and suggesting what in their view was the best course to adopt. We extract the following most important paragraphs — The Ngatiruanui and Taranaki Natives remain in a state of-*passive insurrectionary siilleriness ; — refuse permission to the terms proposed — retain possession of large quantities of the settlers stock carried off during- the war — have stopped the mail though carried by natives — and threaten death to all Europeans who venture beyond certain lines, so that no one dare travel beyond a few miles from the Town of New Plymouth on the one side, or Wanganui on the other. The Tataraimaka block, purchased from the Natives, and which has been parcelled out into thriving farms, for the most part under cultivation, may now be said to be practically in tho possession of the insurgents. The homesteads of the settlers, their fences and cultivations, have beon destroyed : and no settler will incur the risk of going on his own land. In fact, the natives boast that they hold the land by right of conquest. This state of things cannot, in the opinion of Miuisters, be suffered to continue.

As regards the policy to be pursued in reference to the settlement of Taranaki several courses are open : — .

1. Matters maybe left as they are; in which case the settlement will dwindle away. Settlers will abandon it, particularly with the temptation of neighbouring gold fields presented to them. It will become practically a military post, but to be maintained at heavy cost, with no definite object ; for the restoration of the settlement under such circumstances would be hopeless.

2. It may be abandoned altogether : — a suggestion which would not, it is imagined, be for a moment entertained. In fact to abandon it would involve a loss of prestige dangerous to the colony generally.

3. Vigorous measures may be taken to establish our position ; and this appears to Ministers the true policy. Jf there must be a war, it is better far that it should be at Taranaki than else where. For whetever mischief could be inflicted on British settlements by a state of war, lias been done there. The penalties of war have been already paid. Besides this the case of the Ngatiruanui and Taranaki Natives is the one which presents fewest grounds of sympathy with other Natives, _ they engaged in the quarrel without provocation, and were guilty of gross outrages. Their present attitude is one of such open hostility, as in the eyes of well affected Natives themselves would not merely justify, but demand on our part active measures against them, and retribution for the wrongs done. Added to this, if operations were carried on with a view to open up and establish military communication by roads between Taranaki and Wanganui, such operations would be attended with some facilities, and in the end with great patent advantages. Ministers are of opiniou (so sar as they can presume to offer an opinion involving military considerations) that firm and decesive action should be taken in this direction. They believe the effect would be in no long space of time to bring" the Ngatiruanuis and Taranakis into submission;.-. The settlement of Taranaki might then, in the end, be re-established on a safer basis, and. be enabled to recover and extend itself,

It-is not improbable that hostile operations in the Taranaki country would draw towards it some portion of the Natives of other districts. Such a possible result would not, in the opinion of Ministers, be a sufficient reason against the course of action which they recommend. The time and manner of commencing such operations would require distinct consideration. The first object appears to be, as far as possible to win back tho allegiance of the Native people, and to place the settlements in an effective position of defence. Ministers do not apprehend any aggressivemovemonts on the part of the Natives as likely to result from the course which they recommend, except against the settlements of New Plymouth and Wangauui.

There appears to Ministers no inconsistency in dealing with tho main body of the Natives, the Waikato in particular, with a gentle and even friendly hand, and endeavouring by all legitimate means to recall and attach them to us ; and at tho same time assuming a stern and decisive attU tude towards tlie Ngadranuis and Taranakis with a view to compel from them material guarantees for their future good behavour.

Whatever may be the future of Taranaki, we had Mr. Se>vell's assurance to the Legis. lative Couucil last Friday, that it had frequently beon the subject of most anxinus consultation between His Excellency ami the Ministry ; and that it was the firm determination of both, to do for that province all that was possible to do to restore it, not only to a position such as it was before, but to an improved one. That time has not come, nor cun it yet awhile. But Sir George and bis present Ministry yield to no. one in their desire to seize on the right moment when it does come. We showed recently from Governor Browne's despatches, that it was his intention to leave Taranaki alone for a season or two, because be found it hopeless to do anything there that would affect tbe great Native question. Sir George Grey may have adopted the same views, and we have every

nri>*i-i»nwPir.imm<n»n^irri.iini'iQijtr\in'i ' m 'mma*mi*ia&*Mtom&ii!mmtL leason to believe that when the boriZoti i s clearer, lh6 "Dark Spot "of Taranaki will disappear under the measures which will be taken to cleanse it. The above was crowded out from our last. We \ now refer to Ministers' explanation on Taranaki .affairs, contained in Mr. Fox's speech on Tuesday. '